Information - Reports

 Print this Report

Custom Framing is a specialised manufacturing industry that uses Australian and imported materials to create individual framed units for each item framed. This means that Australians are at work creating beautiful Australian made products to beautify your home or office.

 This is the unique feature of Custom Framing – an industry providing YOU the customer with a personalised service to create something unique for either your home or office.

The Australian Custom Framing industry is very much individualised (there is no National Association) and for this reason alone, you need to exercise due diligence when engaging the services of a Custom Framer. 

Competent craftsmen at Frame Craft, who understand the requirements of individuality, plan and prepare their work loads to ensure each item is given individual attention as it passes through the workshop to it’s completion. Once completed, each item is checked to ensure it meets the requirements of the customer. Finally, the Frame Craft manufacturing process is completed within 5 working days (subject to material availability) so that customers do not have to wait too long for their work to be completed.

 Moulding is the material from which the frame is constructed. Most Custom Framers have "corner samples" of mouldings on their display boards that are used during the consultative process to select the most appropriate for each item framed.

Mouldings are produced in three different products – timber, synthetics and aluminium:

• . Timber is generally the preferred product to use as it provides a good range of colours, profile styles and a good surface on the back so that tapes can be applied to seal each completed unit from elements such as dust, dirt and insects.

• . Synthetic mouldings have had a chequered history, primarily because they have not always been regarded as being structurally sound, particularly for the larger units. The product has improved over recent years.

• . Aluminium offers a range of colour and styles, and in some cases, it maybe a viable alternative to timber. However, extra care is needed in the handling of aluminium frame units because of the material’s rigidity and such frames can not be sealed against dust, dirt and insects as timber frame units can be.

There are a number of reasons why you should use the services of a Custom Framer when considering the use of matt-boards. 

Matt-board is a paper product (comprising two outer layers that encase a core) used to separate the item being framed from the frame itself. Matt-boards come in a multitude of colours and composition, and they provide the opportunity to enhance the presentation of what is being framed. 

The other fundamental reason for using matt-boards is to stop the glass from touching the artwork. Note that where glass and artwork are allowed to be in contact, there is a good chance that the two will bond together. 

Decorative additions can be made to the matt-board such as various shapes in the matt-board corners: v-grooves cut into the surface of the matt-board or french-lines drawn on the surface thereof.

How wide should the matt-board be? There are two approaches to width:

• . it will be equal on all four sides of the matt-board with the width being proportionally appropriate to both the image size and the width of the frame, and

• . weight the bottom of the matt-board i.e. the top and sides will be equal in width while the bottom will be enlarged. This approach is probably a historic aspect of framing dating back to the eras where framed units were hung reasonably high on large walls. This had the visual effect of shortening the vision of the bottom of the matt-board, thus the creation of this "weighting of the bottom" of the matt-board.

How many matt-boards should be used? The most common would be two. The colour of the top matt-board should expand the general feeling of what is being framed while the second, or underneath matt-board, is only displayed narrowly so as to highlight a colour tone within the image.

Despite the apparent advantages of matt-boards, if you do not want to enlarge the size of what is being framed, there are products available that will separate the glass from the artwork.

(4) Glass and/or acrylic covers

It is important to be aware of the various options available when selecting a covering of each item framed. Such coverings will be either a glass or acrylic product. Acrylics are lighter and do not break as easily, but they will scratch more easily.

Normally glass covering is a 2mm clear float glass, but if the finished framed unit is likely to be hung in areas where reflection is a problem, or the ultraviolet rays of light are prevalent, then a reflection control glass should be used if it is a reflection problem. There are different types available and Frame Craft uses an American product that is etched on just one side that provides better clarity. Or if the need is controlling ultraviolet light, there are different grades available - the principal two offer either a 45% or a 97% level of protection. 

(5) Conservation framing of works of value 

Conservation framing requires the application of materials and techniques that will conserve the item being framed. Valuable pieces of artwork must be able to be retrieved from their framing environment in the same condition as they were in when originally framed. 

Custom framers need to be able to advise customers on whether particular pieces of artwork require conservation framing. Always remember that the item(s) to be framed is yours and you need to fully understand the methods proposed, and that the products used in the framing process are appropriate to the value of what is to be framed.

(6) Good range of prints 

Custom framers not only provide the framing options for whatever you have to be framed, but they will generally have a range of prints available for purchase. 

This is an important option that you can access when the need arises for the acquisition of works of art to beautify either your home or place of business. 

In addition to a physical stock of prints, Frame Craft maintains current and up-to-date catalogues from the major Australian print suppliers. This ensures that our customers have access to current prints in the market. 

(7) 3-D Shadow Box Framing 

One of the creative aspects of custom framing is what is known as 3-D Shadow Box Framing. The framing of individual items such as:

• . sports jerseys

• . bats and balls

• . musical instruments

• . childhood memorabilia

• . company products

can be framed in specially constructed framed units that create a 3-D effect around the item framed. 

In addition to items framed in the traditional frame and matt-board presentation, variations can include an option for the cabinet to be opened so that the featured article can be removed if required. 

Another form of presentation is the use of an acrylic case that gives total vision from all sides of the object framed. 

(8) Loyalty Progammes for regular customers 

Some Custom Framers may offer loyalty programmes to reward customers who continue to use their services. The basis of these programmes will vary, but the intention is similar to that of frequent usage programmes used in many retail situations. 

Frame Craft has both a Gold and Silver Card loyalty program that is based on customers reaching particular levels of expenditure, which once reached, entitle a customer to discounts on all future purchases. 

(9) Design Help 

It is important you feel comfortable when dealing with a Custom Framer. While it is a business, Frame Craft is never-the-less a place where you meet with staff experienced in working with people, just like you. 

While you may feel uneasy in a first encounter with the concept of Custom Framing, it can, and should be, a time of mutual enjoyment as you work with the staff designing unique arrangements for YOUR pieces of art.

(10) Customer Service - a No. 1 Priority 

This has been left to last of the ten items purposely, as without good customer service, each of the first nine reasons become meaningless. 

Frame Craft’s staff work with you to design the most appropriate composition of each item, and they will always display a wiliness to be of service to you, the customer. We shall provide you with as much time as is necessary for you to be totally happy with what you have chosen when you leave the Showroom.

Our expertise in framing craftsmanship will create unique framing concepts and hence the combination of both craftsmanship and good customer service will be fully appreciated by YOU, our customer.